Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common disease that affects most young children worldwide. The disease can be a particularly frustrating and worrying experience for parents, because it is highly infectious. Basically, chickenpox also known as (Vericella) is an illness that causes red spots or blisters and itchy rashes all over the body. Although the disease is most common in children, some adults may get the disease if they had not received the chickenpox vaccine during childhood. In rare cases, the disease may also affect pregnant women, teens, and adults who have low immune system. The disease is caused by the variella-zoster (VZ) virus, which is very infectious. Chickenpox is transmitted via indirect contact with infected person’s clothes beddings, or other items like toys, direct contact with the vesicle fluid, or airborne droplets. The first symptoms of the disease are headache, a sore throat, and fever. After some days, the victims may have some red spots, which may go through different stages such as blistering, bursting, and crusting. In most cases, health experts advise parents or victims affected that, there is no cure for the viral infection (Parad, 2012). However, victims can relieve the symptoms by applying lotions, cool sponging, or bathing that enhance the cooling effect on the spots. The medication knows as acyclovir can combat or reduce the vericella infection. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of chicken pox in regard to the factors that contribute to the development of the disease, and the epidemiologic triangle that relates to this disease. Also, the paper will discuss one national agency that addresses the disease.
Description of the disease
Causes
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), chickenpox is caused by VZ virus. The disease requires adequate care and attention because it is highly infectious. Victims with the disease are advised to stay at home to avoid infecting other people. Health professionals encourage victims not to share their clothes with others as this may indirectly infect others. Usually, the disease is transmitted via indirect contacts with infected items such as toy, clothes, or beddings; direct contact with the vesicle fluid, or airborne droplets.
Symptoms
The first notable symptoms of chickenpox include fever, malaise, and dry cough. Children may become unsettled or irritable. The symptoms are further followed by a rash, which may last for 6 days or less. After some few days, crops of small red spots appear. In most cases, the spots start to occur on the face, chest, or ears and then spread into other parts of the body. After a week, the spots become blistered and the victim experience severe pain. An adult may become infected by breathing airborne trace, if he or she was not fully treated or vaccinated against the virus. Quintessentially, the disease is so contagious that, an infected individual can spread the infection even prior to having any signs of being infected. After being exposed to the virus, most symptoms begin after two weeks. This period is known as incubation period, which often occur after the exposure to the VZ virus.
Demographic of interest
Over 90% of young children are affected by the disease worldwide (Brown, 2009). The increased morbidity occurs in immune-compromised patients and some adults who may have never received vaccination. In 1990-1994, the mortality rate was high among children under the age of 20 years (Brown, 2009). However, in the 21st century, chickenpox deaths among children have decreased because of the vaccine enacted to combat the illness. Although chickenpox is most common in children, some susceptible adults may be at a risk of being infected. These people include pregnant women, people with low immunity such as those with HIV, and newborn babies. Most people who may have had the diseases may not develop a second time. Nevertheless, some people may develop the disease twice since the virus may develop later in life.
Complications
The most common complications in children are bacterial skin infection. Other notable complications include pneumonia, skin sores, and encephalitis. Otitis Media is another notable complication in children. Children with low immunity or with other illness such as cancer may suffer severely with chickenpox. Adults with low immunity such as HIV patients may also suffer from the disease.
Treatment
There is no specific cure or treatment for the disease. The treatment is given to combat or reduce the symptoms. For instance, controlling itch may be treated with topical applications like calamine lotion, which enhance a cooling effect or oral antihistamines, which reduces the itch. Wet compresses may reduce the itch symptoms. Cutting fingernails may protect the skin. In case of severe complications such as pneumonia, the patient should be referred to secondary care. Patients should drink plenty water to reduce dehydration. Antivirale can combat and reduce the severity of the symptoms (Prichard, 2005). Lastly, children should be given chickenpox vaccine to avoid the disease occurrence.
The Determinant of health
There are various factors that contribute to the disease development. These factors include income and social status, cultural, economic, and environmental factors. Low income people are more likely to suffer from the illness because of lack of resources to combat or reduce the symptoms. Support from the communities, friends, and families enhance better health. However, lack of support may increase the complications of the disease since patients may be weak to take care of themselves. Education is a core factor closely related to socioeconomic status. Effective education for parents on the importance of vaccinating their children with chickenpox vaccine is important as it reduces chances of being infected with the disease. Parents or adults without education are more likely to suffer from the disease as they may lack knowledge of how to respond to the disease. The physical environment that an individual lives is a core determinant of health. Children living in poor households are more likely to suffer from the disease because of lack of resources. Lack of sanitation may increase airborne contaminants, which may increase the spread of the disease. Some people may suffer severely from the disease because of their culture. For instance, a parent may believe that it is not right for his/her child to receive chickenpox vaccine. Such beliefs may lead to high mortality rate as discussed by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013).
The Epidemiological Triangle
As noted by Canada University (2013)
As indicated in the above appendix, the disease may be transmitted via indirect contacts for instance infected items such as toy, clothes, or beddings, direct contact with the vesicle fluid, or airborne droplets. The rapid increase of chickenpox is mostly caused by environmental exposure. As previously discussed, lack of sanitation may increase airborne contaminants, which may increase the spread of the disease. Poverty may also increase the severity of the disease especially when there are many symptoms. The disease increases during early spring and late winter. The infection occurs later during adolescence and childhood in tropical climates. The best way to avoid the disease is to have the child immunized. Most countries give out chicken vaccine for free. Parents should also be motivated to use suitable medication to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
The Role of the Community Health Nurse
As previously mentioned, Chickenpox is a common disease that affects young children. With this, nurses have established effective ways to reduce the symptoms of the disease. In most cases, the Virus is diagnosed clinically. The community of nurses has ensured that all children are vaccinated with vericella vaccine. Parents have also been advised to separate the children affected from those not affected. Some of the contribution of nursing to address chronic diseases includes promoting a safe environment with adequate sanitation, leading role in fighting against chickenpox, scaling up the most affected population and finally coming up with ways to prevent the illness.
National Agency that addresses the disease
The National Shingles Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization that fights against chickenpox. Since its establishment in 1991, the organization has laid a strong ground for many to understand the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventions of chickenpox (Brown, 2009). The organization acts as an information agency to thousands people suffering from the illness, their physicians, and families. World Health Organization (WHO) has also been on the lead to address the nature of the disease and how it can be prevented. WHO is a strong organization for health in the United Nations that provides leadership on health research and further set norms and standards to access trends of the disease (Prichard, 2005).
References
Brown, H. (2009). Chickenpox in adults and pregnancy. GP, 36-37. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225157587?accountid=45049
Canada University. (2013). Routes for Spread of Infectious Disease. Retrieved from http://www.med.uottawa.ca/sim/data/Infection_spread_e.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Varicella (Chickepox). Retrieved from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/varicella-chickenpox
Parad, J. E. (2012). A psychological critique of the public health response to chicken pox parties. Society, 49(6), 495-499. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12115-012-9591-3
Prichard, D. (2005). Preventing chickenpox. Australian Doctor, , 35. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195145461?accountid=45049
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